The Energon Pub

It's that time of the year again.
I am slowly falling in love with the new Masterpiece stuff, ever since I set my heart on Grimlock a while back, and then decided that, no, I cannot justify the current prices for him, nor am I that impressed with the poseability. Some of you will have seen my comments around various threads, so bear with me again.

Sooo..

My options are Optimus Prime and Soundwave, in their Hasbro releases.
Why just these two? Money and space. And what I'm looking for is an iconic piece for display, not a whole line - which means I want to choose one.




I've seen the others coming up, and I'm not that bothered, at all. But I find it really hard to decide between Soundwave and Optimus Prime. Soundwave is my preferred character of the two, and comes with more 'accessories'. Optimus is more iconic, but also cheaper.

Suggestions, comments, abuse?

If you're going for iconic, I'm gonna recommend Soundwave. Op and Megs may be the faces of their respective causes, but fewer Transformers replicate the feeling of robots in disguise more than G1 Soundwave or Masterpiece Soundwave. The extra figures certainly don't hurt, and the tapes make a decent Generations fill-in in my opinion.

If you were starting to collect Masterpiece figures, I'd recommend Op because he looks great with the Autobot cars.

datguy86 wrote:If you're going for iconic, I'm gonna recommend Soundwave. Op and Megs may be the faces of their respective causes, but fewer Transformers replicate the feeling of robots in disguise more than G1 Soundwave or Masterpiece Soundwave. The extra figures certainly don't hurt, and the tapes make a decent Generations fill-in in my opinion.

If you were starting to collect Masterpiece figures, I'd recommend Op because he looks great with the Autobot cars.

Thanks!

Yes, I should clarify that: I am not planning on getting any other MP figures. This is the one.

Well, I love Optimus Prime, and love his Masterpiece figure... But if you were looking for one Masterpiece figure to be an iconic display piece, I'd say go with Soundwave. As much as I personally love me some trailer, I know many people have issue fitting them in with their display plans, and if you have an issue of space, you might find Optmus's trailer a clunky unnecessary add on. So it could end up you just chucking the trailer into the closet, which seems an awful waste.

On the other hand, Soundwave makes for a beautiful display and gives you plenty of options. You can surround him with his minions! You could pose him forming an energon cube, or pose him with a display read out on his chest, or ejecting a tape, or wielding Megatron rather then his usual gun... So many options that all look great, and make more use of what he comes with! For someone without a definite attachment to Optimus, it makes much more sense then a figure that comes with a big plastic box. (And this is coming from someone who loves his multiple Optimi with big plastic boxes!)

Yotsuyasan wrote:Well, I love Optimus Prime, and love his Masterpiece figure... But if you were looking for one Masterpiece figure to be an iconic display piece, I'd say go with Soundwave. As much as I personally love me some trailer, I know many people have issue fitting them in with their display plans, and if you have an issue of space, you might find Optmus's trailer a clunky unnecessary add on. So it could end up you just chucking the trailer into the closet, which seems an awful waste.

Yes, that is also a point of concern! I don't care about the trailer, Roller or Spike, I'm mainly interested in Optimus himself. Which is why Soundwave is a really good alternative, as you point out.

Argh.

Va'al, you already answered the question yourself. Go with what you want. You are going to enjoy/have the figure for the next five years, at the least, right? The price difference of a more expensive Soundwave will be worth it over that time. You can't really go wrong with an incredible/iconic Optimus. But why get something and save a few bucks and always think I would have liked something else more. If you prefer Soundwave that is the way to go.

Va'al wrote:It's that time of the year again.
Soundwave is my preferred character of the two, and comes with more 'accessories'. Optimus is more iconic, but also cheaper.

TK415 wrote:Va'al, you already answered the question yourself. Go with what you want. You are going to enjoy/have the figure for the next five years, at the least, right? The price difference of a more expensive Soundwave will be worth it over that time. You can't really go wrong with an incredible/iconic Optimus. But why get something and save a few bucks and always think I would have liked something else more. If you prefer Soundwave that is the way to go.

Ah, but the thing is: Soundwave is my preferred character of the two, but between the toys I find it really hard to decide! I keep seeing pictures and reviews for each, and Soundwave convinces me a little less that it first did, while Optimus grows more on me.

I know, I'm not helping.. but this is why I'm looking for other collectors' opinions!

It is very possible that Soundwave is the most popular G1 Transformer. But Optimus Prime is hand down the most iconic Transformer, and quite possibly the most iconic toy/cartoon character of the 80's. If want a figure to represent your love of Transformers, I don't think that there is a better choice than Optimus Prime. He is the only MP that I have two of, one to display in robot mode and one to display in his iconic truck mode.

Is there anyone near you who has both, and might be able to bring them by to see how they look on your shelf? Or at the very least, let you stop by for some hands on transformation? Might help with your decision.

I'd say you should just skip both. If you get just the one I'm willing to bet that latter on you will regret not getting the other.

njb902 wrote:I'd say you should just skip both. If you get just the one I'm willing to bet that latter on you will regret not getting the other.

That's what I've been doing with Optimus so far..

Va'al wrote:

njb902 wrote:I'd say you should just skip both. If you get just the one I'm willing to bet that latter on you will regret not getting the other.

That's what I've been doing with Optimus so far..

Get them both.

MP Prime is surely going on sale soon in the UK, and Soundwave isn't out properly yet. I'm sure you can find space for those two next to each other, and if you don't want Prime's trailer, you can sell it on ebay, I'm sure someone can find a use for it.

Va'al wrote:

datguy86 wrote:If you're going for iconic, I'm gonna recommend Soundwave. Op and Megs may be the faces of their respective causes, but fewer Transformers replicate the feeling of robots in disguise more than G1 Soundwave or Masterpiece Soundwave. The extra figures certainly don't hurt, and the tapes make a decent Generations fill-in in my opinion.

If you were starting to collect Masterpiece figures, I'd recommend Op because he looks great with the Autobot cars.

Thanks!

Yes, I should clarify that: I am not planning on getting any other MP figures. This is the one.

Famous last words bro

Hmm.

Ok. Thought experiment.

If you could only get one of the two, which one would you go for?

Optimus has better leg articulation (his feet are much better, the legs have closer ratchet points).
Soundwave's arm articulation is better (more shoulder articulation and the elbows go 45 degress further).

Optimus's trailer makes for a great backdrop, adding the display possibilities.

Optimus feels more sturdy.

Optimus doesn't have any kibble, whereas Soundwave has a little on his lower legs.

Soundwave come with more transformable robots.

Mykltron wrote:Optimus has better leg articulation (his feet are much better, the legs have closer ratchet points).
Soundwave's arm articulation is better (more shoulder articulation and the elbows go 45 degress further).

Optimus's trailer makes for a great backdrop, adding the display possibilities.

Optimus feels more sturdy.

Optimus doesn't have any kibble, whereas Soundwave has a little on his lower legs.

Soundwave come with more transformable robots.

So which one would you go for?

Va'al wrote:

Mykltron wrote:Optimus has better leg articulation (his feet are much better, the legs have closer ratchet points).
Soundwave's arm articulation is better (more shoulder articulation and the elbows go 45 degress further).

Optimus's trailer makes for a great backdrop, adding the display possibilities.

Optimus feels more sturdy.

Optimus doesn't have any kibble, whereas Soundwave has a little on his lower legs.

Soundwave come with more transformable robots.

So which one would you go for?

I'm kind of biased.............have booth Tomy versions

Listen to your heart fellow Seibertronian...what does it tell you? Does it thump heroically for or does it drum fear to all for ?

Alright man seriously though if I had to choose 1 it would be Soundwave no question. He's an amazing MP and of course he is superior.

Va'al wrote:Hmm.

Ok. Thought experiment.

If you could only get one of the two, which one would you go for?

Soundwave, since there is no guarantee that he'll reach UK shores, adding to that TRU is super incompetent in supplying him at the moment, so if you get the chance of getting him get him.
Optimus is still around in the UK and based on past experience fairly easy to get even from the after market with just a minimal price increase.

So go with Soundwave, and then if you do find enough space and want him, get Optimus from your local TRU at a discount or for just a little over retail price from online sources.

Dead Metal wrote:

Va'al wrote:Hmm.

Ok. Thought experiment.

If you could only get one of the two, which one would you go for?

Soundwave, since there is no guarantee that he'll reach UK shores, adding to that TRU is super incompetent in supplying him at the moment, so if you get the chance of getting him get him.
Optimus is still around in the UK and based on past experience fairly easy to get even from the after market with just a minimal price increase.

So go with Soundwave, and then if you do find enough space and want him, get Optimus from your local TRU at a discount or for just a little over retail price from online sources.

That's a good answer, but Soundwave is, in fact, currently arriving in the UK.
The website lists him, and my contacts at the Norwich store have backed this up!

Va'al wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:

Va'al wrote:Hmm.

Ok. Thought experiment.

If you could only get one of the two, which one would you go for?

Soundwave, since there is no guarantee that he'll reach UK shores, adding to that TRU is super incompetent in supplying him at the moment, so if you get the chance of getting him get him.
Optimus is still around in the UK and based on past experience fairly easy to get even from the after market with just a minimal price increase.

So go with Soundwave, and then if you do find enough space and want him, get Optimus from your local TRU at a discount or for just a little over retail price from online sources.

That's a good answer, but Soundwave is, in fact, currently arriving in the UK.
The website lists him, and my contacts at the Norwich store have backed this up!

Awesome news!
Then get Prime, and wait for Soundwave to get cheaper.

Mykltron wrote:Optimus doesn't have any kibble, whereas Soundwave has a little on his lower legs.

Hmm. Could you expand on that? I'm not sure what you mean, as I can't really see much of it.

Also, do we know if the Hasbro release has die-cast parts at all?

Va'al wrote:

Mykltron wrote:Optimus doesn't have any kibble, whereas Soundwave has a little on his lower legs.

Hmm. Could you expand on that? I'm not sure what you mean, as I can't really see much of it.

Also, do we know if the Hasbro release has die-cast parts at all?

The tiny pieces on the outside of his legs

Not really sure I would count it as kibble though, since it mimicks the leg design of the G1 toy.

Diecast wise he'll have the exact same amount and parts as the Tak version.

Ah, thanks DM!

If you ever find yourself unable to decide between two options, time to break out the biplanar decision maker.

But here's the trick:

When you flip the coin, don't take what the coin says, take what you find yourself wanting the coin to say.

Think about it - how many times have you flipped a coin, then went, "Umm... best two out of three" or the like, or found an excuse to flip the coin again. This skips that middleman.

And I'd choose both, but if money was an issue i'd get Soundwave, just to lord it over my brother. >:)